Most homes that offer long term care also offer Alzheimer's Care so there is no true distinction between Alzheimer's retirement homes and long-term care or continuing care retirement homes. However, there is a great difference in the care that will be administered to the elderly patient requiring each of these types of care.
Long-term care is for seniors who are unable to take care of themselves independently whereas Alzheimer’s care centers are for seniors who need help with their debilitating condition. Alzheimer’s care centers may also take care of patients with other memory diseases. It is preferable to place seniors who need memory care in special care centers rather than in long-term care units or nursing homes for seniors who are not having memory-related disorders.
Let's take a closer look.
Long term care homes provide assistance and support for seniors who cannot look after their personal needs by themselves. This would include individuals with a prolonged physical or chronic illness, disability or cognitive disorder. Long-term care centers also offer help with everyday activities (Activities of Daily Living). This type of care differs from traditional medical care as it is designed to assist a person to maintain his or her level of functioning, as opposed to care or services that are designed to rehabilitate or correct certain medical problems.
Long-term care is suited for people who require 24-hour nursing, medical aid and supervision within a secure setting. In general, long-term care homes for seniors offer higher levels of personal care and support. Long-term care may be expensive and it may be a big challenge for seniors to move from the comfort of their own homes to care homes.
Care homes for Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It destroys brain cells and symptoms can include confusion, anger, mood swings, language breakdown and long-term memory loss. Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease involves specialized skills that differ from other types of senior care services. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory impairment often require living environments that are secure so as to ensure their safety.
Staff who look after patients with Alzheimer’s in memory care units are specially trained to encourage interaction, conversation, physical activities and cognitive activities.
Assisted Living is a popular choice as for those in the early stages of Alzheimer's. This provides personal care, assistance and supportive services such as housekeeping and transportation for seniors. Skilled Care or 24-hour nursing is provided by licensed nurses when other options are no longer feasible. Hospice care is an alternative to nursing home care that is often required for those in the late stages of this disease. Alzheimer’s care and memory care centers emphasize dignity and comfort and provide necessary care, medication and therapy.
The following list of homes presents homes that offer both Alzheimer's Care and continuing care in the same facility.
